Q&A: Enzo Maccarinelli

Photo and report by Boxing Bob Newman

European cruiserweight champion Enzo Maccarinelli was on hand at the world premier of “Risen – The Howard Winstone Story,” last night at the Cardiff International Arena. Since “Macca” starred in the film, and is a big name on the Welsh boxing scene, it was only natural that the home grown son attend along with a who’s who of UK Fighters. Maccarinelli took time out to talk with Fightnews about his role in the film, as well as his upcoming Euro title tilt with undefeated Alexander Frenkel at LG Arena in Birmingham, England on September 18, 2010.

Enzo, congratulations on your role in the film. How was the transition from fighting to acting?

It was really good. I didn’t have many speaking lines to remember and also I’m used to speaking in front of a camera. They made me feel comfortable, but I think I’ll stick to fighting. (Laughs)

Were you familiar with the fighter (Eddie Avoth) who you portrayed in the film?

Yeah, yeah. I’ve known Eddie a long time. He’s half Italian to which always helps! It was great, thoroughly enjoyable. I was only at it two or three weeks. It was nice to be part of a film that’s portraying a Welsh sporting hero- not just a boxing hero, but a sporting hero.

Interestingly, Eddie Avoth has a small role in the film as well, and in one scene, his character meets up with your character- a young Eddie Avoth! What was that like to be playing the character of the guy you’re standing across from?

Yeah well, probably wasn’t too bad for him. He couldn’t play himself!

You’re the reigning European cruiserweight champion and have a title defense coming up against Alexander Frenkel who has made some interesting comments about his plans during and after your fight. Basically he said he wants to take your title and then go on a nice holiday in the U.K. And celebrate. What are your thoughts on that?

(Laughs) Yeah you know, he’s gotta say that. He can’t say, “I might do this, I might do that.” He’s gotta do that. He’s confident. I love that. I’ve looked at his record, he strong, he’s undefeated. That guy Kotlobay (Maccarinelli’s last opponent for the Euro title) was strong and he only lasted one (round). The boys he’s fought, they haven’t hit back. They’ve been brought over to lose. I’m not here to lose. I will hit back! Everybody thought my career was over the last couple of years. I changed a lot of things that made me very negative, very confused in my own mind. But I’m back to my old self- plenty of running, plenty of sparring. I’m in a good place. Alexander Frenkel thinks he’s gonna come over here and he’s gonna beat me. I definitely think I’m gonna beat him, so it should be fireworks.

How do you see the guys at the top of the division holding world titles, and your chances against them should you get past Frenkel?

I do feel that the way I am, the place I am right now, I’ll beat any cruiserweight on the planet on any given night. I feel very confident, I feel very strong. I’m not saying it’s gonna be easy. There are a couple good champions- Marco Huck (WBO), that would be an interesting fight- me and him. Kzrysztof Wlodarczyk (WBC)- that’d be an interesting fight. The one I really think is the best would be Steve Cunningham (IBF). To me he’s the man at the moment. Guillermo Jones (WBA) hasn’t fought for two years, he hasn’t done too much. So I really don’t know what’s happening with the WBA belt. I really give credit to each one of them fighters, but each one of them I know I can beat.

What do you make of the success of your former foe David Haye at Heavyweight? Could you have predicted he’d carry his punching power up to that division?

Yeah, yeah, he’s very explosive. He’s got a bit pf punching power. Everybody thinks there’s bad blood between me and David, but boxing is boxing. I’ve spoken to him since and I wish him all the best in the future. He boxed well against Valuev. Ruiz couldn’t cope with his speed. Again, on any given night, I think he can beat any of them.

Do you see more acting in your future?

If anyone can do it, I certainly can! No seriously, I’m back in love with the game. I’m helping out at my father’s gym with the amateurs as well. I’m back in love with the game and that makes me a very dangerous person!